COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG DEPENDENCE AND ADDICTION

What is Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control
the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. It can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in
social situations, or with prescribed medicines or prescriptions. The risk of addiction and how fast you
become addicted varies by drug, with some drugs having a higher risk and causing addiction more
quickly than others. Help from health care providers, family, friends, support groups or an organized
treatment program can help you overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.

What is Drug Dependence?

Drug dependence occurs when you need one or more drugs to function. The American Psychiatric
Association (APA) used to distinguish between dependence and abuse. Abuse was considered the mild
or early phase of inappropriate drug use that led to dependence. People viewed dependence as a more
severe problem than abuse.

The APA replaced “dependence” and “abuse” with “substance use disorder” in the 2013 edition of the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This diagnosis focuses on the disorder
involving the use of the substance.

Drug dependence vs. drug addiction

People sometimes use the terms “addiction” and “dependence” interchangeably. Dependence is not the
same as addiction.

Addiction

Addiction can occur without being dependent on drugs.

Addiction may involve:

 using drugs despite the consequences

 being unable to stop using drugs
 neglecting social and work obligations because of drug use

Dependence

It’s possible to be dependent on drugs without being addicted. Dependence can be a bodily response to
a substance. This often occurs if you rely on medications to control a chronic medical condition. These
conditions may include:

 high blood pressure

 diabetes
 glaucoma

Dependence may involve:

 some or all the symptoms of addiction

  development of a high tolerance for the substance as your body adapts to the drug, leading to a
desire for larger or more frequent doses
 physical symptoms of withdrawal when you attempt to stop using the drug

Recognizing the symptoms of drug dependence

You can often determine if an addiction has turned into dependence by looking at behavior. When a
person addicted to drugs hasn’t had them for a period of time, this can cause a physical reaction.
Physical symptoms of withdrawal occur when the body becomes stressed without the drug. These
symptoms include:

 anxiety
 depression
 muscle weakness
 nightmares
 body aches
 sweating
 nausea
 vomiting

What drugs are most likely to cause dependency?

Treating drug dependence

When drug abuse escalates to dependence, treatment becomes complicated. You must stop using the
drug but doing so abruptly can cause physical symptoms. You may need the help of a healthcare
provider to rid your body of the substance. This can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

Substances that mimic the effects of illegal drugs may help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal during
treatment. Detox programs use a combination of therapy and medical treatment to ease dependence
and treat the disorder. Ongoing therapy sessions may be needed after you’re released from a treatment
program.

Extreme cases of intoxication, withdrawal, or overdose may need emergency care before addiction and
dependence can be treated.

Long-term outlook for people with drug dependence

If left untreated, dependence on illicit drugs can be dangerous. You may increase your drug use as your
body adapts to the drugs. This can result in overdose or death.

Treatment can reverse dependence, but you must want to be treated. Sometimes, treatment is
successful the first time, but relapse is common. Ongoing therapy and support groups can help you
recover, stay on track, and address symptoms of relapse.

Signs and symptoms of drug addiction

Many times, the presence of a substance abuse problem is not obvious because an addict will go to
great lengths to keep his or her abuse a secret or will deny the presence of a problem when confronted.
However, the longer the substance abuse occurs, the more noticeable the associated symptoms will
become. Substance abuse can adversely affect an individual’s behavior, appearance, health, cognition,
and emotions. The following symptoms are those that indicate that someone may have a substance
abuse problem:

Behavioral symptoms:

 Change in overall attitude with no identifiable cause

 Missing school or work
 Decline in performance at work or school
 Not fulfilling roles or responsibilities
 Hyperactivity
 Lethargy
 Change in activities or hobbies
 Change in friends
 Declined participation in things that were once enjoyed
 Engaging in risky behaviors
 Poor coordination
 Increased conflict with others
 Social withdrawal or isolation
 Secretive or suspicious behavior

Physical symptoms:

 Inability to sleep or consistently waking up throughout the night

 Loss of or increased appetite
 Weight loss or gain
 Bloodshot eyes
 Sweating
 Nausea and vomiting
 Runny nose or frequent rubbing of the nose
 Deterioration of physical health
 Irregular heartbeat
 Slurred speech
 Headaches
 Lack of hygiene
 Presence of needle marks
 Shakiness or tremors
 Diarrhea

Cognitive symptoms:

 Psychosis
 Paranoia
  Difficulty paying attention
 Delayed thinking
 Confusion
 Forgetfulness
 Detachment from reality
 Hindered decision-making abilities
 Hallucinations
 Delusions
 Inability to reason

Psychosocial symptoms:

 Depressed mood
 Increased anxiety
 Inability to experience pleasure
 Lowered self-esteem
 Oversensitivity
 Moodiness or irritability
 Drastic mood swings
 Agitation